Hakhel - Celebrating Jewish Unity

5769 -- A Year of Unity

"What, when or who is Hakhel? If it's so important, why didn't they ever tell me about it in Hebrew School?"

True, the Hakhel Year didn't get the spotlight for a couple of centuries. But who can deny that a year dedicated to gathering Jews together and strengthening Jewish unity is a good thing?

So read on and discover what this special year of the seven-year cycle has to offer. And then—get involved. Make your own "Hakhel Event" and help revive a key part of our heritage. You may just find yourself reviving a lot of Jewish souls as well.

What is Hakhel?
Hakhel: Then & Today

A hush falls over the mammoth crowd, as the royally bedecked king of Israel ascends on to a platform and reads sections of the holy Torah. The nation is inspired and invigorated...

2 Comments

Hakhel in the Holy Temple
By Naftali Silberberg

On the long-awaited day, the priests fan out throughout Jerusalem and blow golden bugles to assemble the nation. "A kohen priest without a bugle in his hands, it appears as if he's not a kohen..."

Cooperation
By Baruch Epstein

When we forget G‑d, we view the world as a finite resource, a pie with a defined number of slices; every bit that you get comes out of my wallet.

5 Comments

Be a Part of It
By Nochum Mangel

Certainly, we can be well-informed about politics without ever joining in a rally. Yet when actually going out and joining physically with other people, something takes place that is unique...

2 Comments

Hakhel -- A Year of Unity
5727 [1966-67]
By Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, The Lubavitcher Rebbe

The King: Then and Today

Gather All of Yourself

The Wake-Up Call
By Esther Vilenkin

Analyzing the details of when, how, who and where the mitzvah was performed provides us with inspiring reflections that enable us to fulfill the mitzvah of Hakhel today.

The Year of Hakhel
By Yehuda Leib Schapiro

Every seven years – following the shemitah year – is a hakhel year; marked in Temple times by the king reading the Torah before all on Sukkot. Discover its significance and relevance today.

3 Download Listen (43:27)

Hakhel: Children, Unite!
3rd Day of Chol Hamoed, 5741 · September 29, 1980

An address to children on Sukkos in the year of Hakhel: "Jewish children are specifically included in this Mitzvah in the Torah, and you must serve as an example to others..."

Watch (6:51)

Hakhel Children’s Song
By Chaim Fogelman

They packed their bags, took some stuff and got on horse and wagons, going to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem…

Listen (3:37)